The Heartless Persona

26

The following Thursday, Cam and Keri walked side by side, underneath the stars.

For once, Keri didn't wear designer clothing and makeup. She had slipped on a pair of denim shorts, flip flops, and an old t-shirt from a volleyball tournament a few years back.

She was being herself around him. The girl who didn't have to hide under makeup and name brand items.

The two had approached an old warehouse, stopping in their tracks.

"Wow," Cam sighed, looking over to Keri. "Remember when we used to go in there?"

"Yeah," she mused.

Staring at the rotting wood and broken windows, she began to reminisce of the times they'd sneak in there without anyone knowing. They would pretend to be detectives investigating a murder. Or superheros saving people from a fire.

"Wanna go in?" He raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"Promise to save me if there's a serial killer in there?" The sarcastic tone in her voice matched her expression.

He let out a small laugh before taking her hand. "Come on."

When they entered, Keri noticed a few ancient toys and pieces of trash, left by her and Cam.

They used the flashlights on their phones to look around, commenting on what it used to be like as children.

Keri couldn't help but to feel a twinge of guilt about how she treated him in the past. How she picked popularity over her best friend.

But it was okay. Everything was perfect. Now he was her boyfriend and everything was going to work out.

Slipping her phone in her pocket and shutting off the flashlight, caused Cam to stop walking. Taking his hand, she stood on her tiptoes to press her lips against his, trying to make up for the past.

She wasn't going to ruin this relationship this time around.

Cam slipped his phone into his pocket as well, and then grabbed onto Keri's hips, pulling her closer to him.

Her nose was filled with his cologne, causing a flutter in her stomach. Gently, she placed both hands on the sides of his face.

If only they could stay like that forever.

There was a shuffle in the warehouse, making both of them pull away and look around.

"What was that?" She whispered, grabbing onto his arm. The shuffle happened again, this time it was closer.

Cam stood in front of Keri, blocking her body with his. Blood rushed through her veins so quickly that she could hear it through her ears.

He peered through the darkness, noticing a figure. Relaxing, he pulled out his flashlight and let out a short chuckle.

"Get that thing away from me," Keri was still frozen. Cam began walking to the animal in front of them, stopping a couple of feet ahead of it.

"It's harmless," his lips stretched upward as he watched the kitten walk towards him.

"It's evil," her eyes were wide.

She tried to swallow, but her throat wouldn't allow it. Scrutinizing the movements of the kitten, she watched it walk into Cam's hands. He gently held it and stood up.

"See?" he held the animal out, closer to Keri. "It won't hurt you," his smile was bright in the dark warehouse.

She automatically moved away from the cat.

"Keri, come here," he instructed.

"Fine. Just keep that on the other side of you."

Cam did what he was told as she walked to him. She noticed how caring he was to the animal. He carefully ran his hands down the kitten's head, and then scratched behind its ears. The cat closed its big blue eyes, enjoying Cam's touch. It was no bigger than his hand and it's fur was the color of a hazelnut.

Keri's body was less tense.

"Just softly pet it," he said.

Keri's hand touched the fluffy coat of the animal.

"See? It's not that bad," a wide grin spread across his lips.

Smiling, Keri continued to run her hand down the kitten's body. A small purr came from the cat.

"She was probably left behind," Cam mentioned.

"She?"

"I haven't seen otherwise," he laughed.

It went quiet between the two for a moment as they continued to pet the kitten.

"I actually wanna take her home," Keri admitted. "What should we name her?"

"I don't know, but she reminds me of a chocolate chip cookie."

"Then her name is Cookie," a soft smile appeared on Keri's face. Cam handed Cookie to Keri.

It was peculiar how much Cam had changed her. Not in a bad way, of course. He changed her for the better.

Before, Keri wouldn't come close to a cat. She wouldn't dare go out in public without makeup and some form of designer wear. She would still be treating people like a doormat. And she would be with a different boy daily.

So how did she changed so quickly? Perhaps it was because that wasn't truly her. Perhaps the new and improved Keri wasn't the actual Keri. Perhaps Keri had always longed to be friends with Cam again.